Rohit Sharma is not just a cricketer. He is an inspiration for millions. From humble beginnings to leading the Indian cricket team to world titles, his journey is a perfect story of talent, struggle, and success.
Born: April 30, 1987
Nickname: Hitman
Current Role: Indian ODI captain, former Test & T20I captain
Batting Style: Right-hand opener
Hometown: Bansod, Nagpur, Maharashtra
Early Life and Family Background
Rohit Sharma was born to Gurunath and Purnima Sharma. His father worked at a transport firm, while his mother took care of the family. Because of financial issues, Rohit spent most of his early life with his grandparents in Borivali, Mumbai. He only visited his parents on weekends.
Even though his family had limited means, they never stopped supporting his dreams. His uncle enrolled him in a cricket camp in 1999. That small step would change his life forever.
First Step Towards Cricket
At the cricket camp, coach Dinesh Lad noticed Rohit’s skills. At first, Rohit bowled off-spin. But his coach saw something special in his batting. Soon, he was promoted to open the innings. His performance in school tournaments like the Harris Shield showed his potential.
To support his training, Lad arranged a scholarship for Rohit at Swami Vivekanand International School. Thanks to this, Rohit received better coaching and facilities without worrying about money.
Later, he joined Rizvi College in Mumbai. But as cricket became serious, he left college to focus on his career.
Domestic Career: Building the Foundation
Rohit made his List A debut in March 2005 for West Zone in the Deodhar Trophy. His unbeaten 31 against Central Zone was a decent start. However, his 142* against North Zone soon grabbed headlines. This performance earned him a place in India A.
In July 2006, he made his first-class debut for India A against New Zealand A. Later that year, he played for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and scored 205 against Gujarat. As a result, he became a rising star in domestic cricket.
In December 2009, he scored 309* in a Ranji match against Gujarat. This was one of his finest domestic knocks. Over the years, he continued to play for Mumbai and even became their captain in 2013.
Entry Into International Cricket
Rohit made his ODI debut in June 2007 against Ireland. Later, he was part of the Indian squad for the first T20 World Cup in South Africa. Although he didn’t bat in his debut match, he played a vital role later. His 50* against South Africa helped India reach the semi-final.
India eventually won the tournament, and Rohit had announced himself on the global stage.
In November 2007, he scored his first ODI fifty against Pakistan. His performance in Australia during the 2008 tri-series showed that he had the talent to succeed at the top level. However, inconsistency and poor form kept him in and out of the squad for a few years.
Turning Point: Opening the Batting in ODIs
Everything changed in 2013. MS Dhoni promoted Rohit Sharma to open the innings in ODIs. It was a masterstroke. Rohit formed a strong partnership with Shikhar Dhawan, and the results were instant.
He scored his first double hundred (209) against Australia in 2013. Then, in 2014, he smashed a world record 264 against Sri Lanka. This is still the highest individual score in ODIs. In 2017, he scored his third ODI double century, once again proving his brilliance.
Test Career: A Mixed Ride
Rohit made his Test debut in 2013 during Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series. He scored 177 runs in his first match. Although he started strong, his Test form remained up and down for many years.
In 2019, he was given the role of Test opener. That decision brought positive results. He scored twin centuries against South Africa in his first match as an opener.
Still, Rohit’s Test journey ended in 2025. After the home season and India’s ICC World Test Championship Final loss, he retired from Test cricket to make way for younger players.
Rohit Sharma as a Leader
After Virat Kohli stepped down as T20I and ODI captain, Rohit was given the responsibility in both formats. He also became the Test captain in 2022.
Under his leadership, India won:
- 2022 Asia Cup
- 2023 ODI World Cup League Stage (undefeated)
- 2024 T20 World Cup – India beat South Africa in the final by 7 runs
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy – India defeated New Zealand in the final, and Rohit was Player of the Match
After the 2024 T20 World Cup, he retired from T20Is but continued in ODIs.
IPL Career: The Mumbai Indians Legend
Rohit joined the Deccan Chargers in the IPL’s first season (2008) and even won the title with them in 2009. In 2011, Mumbai Indians signed him for $2 million. This move changed his career.
In 2013, he became MI’s captain and led them to their first IPL title. Under his leadership, Mumbai Indians won five titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020). He also guided MI to a Champions League title in 2013.
As of 2025:
- Matches: 272
- Runs: 7,000+
- Centuries: 2
- Fifties: 43+
- Highest Score: 109*
- Sixes: 300+
In 2024, he was replaced as MI captain by Hardik Pandya, which caused mixed reactions. Still, he remains a top performer for the team.
Achievements and Major Records
- Most double centuries in ODIs: 3
- Highest individual ODI score: 264 vs Sri Lanka
- Most centuries in a single World Cup: 5 (2019)
- Most sixes in international cricket: 624+
- First player to play 150 T20Is
- Fastest T20I century by an Indian: 35 balls
- Most IPL Player of the Match awards by an Indian: 19
- First to 11,000 ODI runs in 261 innings
- Led India to 2025 Champions Trophy win
Net Worth and Endorsements
Rohit Sharma is one of the richest cricketers in India. His estimated net worth is ₹214 crore (approx. $26 million). His income sources include:
- BCCI contract: ₹7 crore per year (Grade A+)
- Match fees: ₹15 lakh/Test, ₹6 lakh/ODI, ₹3 lakh/T20I
- IPL contract (MI): ₹16 crore
- Brand endorsements: ₹3.5–₹7 crore per deal; endorses 28+ brands including CEAT, Adidas, Hublot, Oppo, Lay’s, and Max Life
He lives in a luxury apartment in Mumbai worth ₹30 crore. He owns cars like Lamborghini Urus and BMW M5.
Personal Life
Rohit married Ritika Sajdeh on December 13, 2015. She is a sports manager and has been a strong support system for him. The couple has two kids—daughter Samaira (born in 2018) and a baby boy (born in 2024).
Rohit is also involved in animal welfare. He is the Rhino Ambassador for WWF-India and works with PETA to raise awareness about homeless animals.
Mentorship and Legacy
As a senior player and former captain, Rohit mentors many young cricketers. Players like Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal often credit him for guidance.
He leads by example, both on and off the field. His cool nature helps young players stay calm during tough situations. Moreover, his batting style—powerful yet graceful—has inspired a new generation of aggressive openers.
Honors and Awards
- Arjuna Award: 2015
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna: 2020
- ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year: 2019
- ICC Teams of the Year: 2014, 2016–2019, 2023 (Captain)
- ICC Team of the Decade (2011–2020): ODIs & T20Is
- ICC Test Team of the Year: 2021
Rohit Sharma’s journey shows what passion, patience, and hard work can achieve. From playing with a tennis ball in the streets of Borivali to lifting ICC trophies as India’s captain, Rohit has done it all.
His records will be remembered for years. But more than that, his calm leadership, friendly nature, and love for the game make him a true legend.